Pet Shop Boys Community

alternativeformat wrote: Wed 29 Apr 2026, 11:55 am
Glad to hear there is support out there for Andrew Dawson. He worked really hard for them and gave them some really beautiful tracks.

The productions of Andrew had a "clean" sound and the ones from Stuart had a "dirty" sound to me. Stuart had much better songs, Andrew had.

At that time, I remember talking to Andrew's girlfriend. She was a Playboy bunny and told me her favourite song from the album was Winner.

Teddy Park (Korean producer) from the black label would be a fresh inspiration and give access to an younger audience and global outreach.

Boy Harsher. Their remix of New London boy was fantastic!

No to Stuart Price!! He had his chance with 3 albums!

Distorted Vision wrote: Tue 28 Apr 2026, 12:38 am I've been thinking for a while that Neil and Chris should back to their roots and get Stephen Hague, Julian Mendelson, Trevor Horn, Harold Faltermeyer or even Bobby Orlando to produce their next album.

I'd agree with this, in sentiment.

There's less reason today for them to reach for a different sound, when their original style is something people try to emulate today.

verbow79 wrote: Tue 28 Apr 2026, 3:22 am James Ford again, Nonetheless had a crisp and clean sound.

He'd be good. And I originally loved the Nonetheless production.

But after listening to the demos more, I think he needs to let Chris shine through. He rounded out the electronica too much. For example: the chorus for Hit Parade has so much more energy and zing on Chris' version. Ford needs to unmute the classic PSB emphasis.... just a bit!

I think Dog or Drico originally pointed this out.

Groove Armada.

jasonjohn wrote: Thu 30 Apr 2026, 5:20 am

Distorted Vision wrote: Tue 28 Apr 2026, 12:38 am I've been thinking for a while that Neil and Chris should back to their roots and get Stephen Hague, Julian Mendelson, Trevor Horn, Harold Faltermeyer or even Bobby Orlando to produce their next album.

I'd agree with this, in sentiment.

There's less reason today for them to reach for a different sound, when their original style is something people try to emulate today.

verbow79 wrote: Tue 28 Apr 2026, 3:22 am James Ford again, Nonetheless had a crisp and clean sound.

He'd be good. And I originally loved the Nonetheless production.

But after listening to the demos more, I think he needs to let Chris shine through. He rounded out the electronica too much. For example: the chorus for Hit Parade has so much more energy and zing on Chris' version. Ford needs to unmute the classic PSB emphasis.... just a bit!

I think Dog or Drico originally pointed this out.

I just relistened to the demos yesterday and had forgotten how good they were. Completely agree, and does rather make me wonder if they released them purposely because perhaps they felt similarly that Ford hadn't entirely captured the PSB essence?

Trevor Horn.

Gabby wrote: Thu 30 Apr 2026, 12:34 pm

jasonjohn wrote: Thu 30 Apr 2026, 5:20 am

Distorted Vision wrote: Tue 28 Apr 2026, 12:38 am I've been thinking for a while that Neil and Chris should back to their roots and get Stephen Hague, Julian Mendelson, Trevor Horn, Harold Faltermeyer or even Bobby Orlando to produce their next album.

I'd agree with this, in sentiment.

There's less reason today for them to reach for a different sound, when their original style is something people try to emulate today.

verbow79 wrote: Tue 28 Apr 2026, 3:22 am James Ford again, Nonetheless had a crisp and clean sound.

He'd be good. And I originally loved the Nonetheless production.

But after listening to the demos more, I think he needs to let Chris shine through. He rounded out the electronica too much. For example: the chorus for Hit Parade has so much more energy and zing on Chris' version. Ford needs to unmute the classic PSB emphasis.... just a bit!

I think Dog or Drico originally pointed this out.

I just relistened to the demos yesterday and had forgotten how good they were. Completely agree, and does rather make me wonder if they released them purposely because perhaps they felt similarly that Ford hadn't entirely captured the PSB essence?

definitely interesting they released the demos so quickly after the album. I think I preferred almost every demo over the final song. some like Loneliness are loads better imo (despite too many snare drum rolls)

Faltermeyer. Could we get something even close to Behavior, that would be great. Don't get me wrong, imo no psb album sounds BAD as is, but B has a very warm and direct aura, sort of. I'd like to get back to that.

Stephen Hague, Richard X or Stuart Price

jyllinge wrote: Wed 29 Apr 2026, 4:04 pm Teddy Park (Korean producer) from the black label would be a fresh inspiration and give access to an younger audience and global outreach.

I don't think they could do that but I think it could be interesting to renew their sound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRX7bKHuOEk

Out of nostalgia, Stephen Hague. But thinking more rationally, I hope they choose the most suitable producer for the songs they have for the next album and the direction they want to take it. And I think they'll be right because it seems to me they've almost always hired very talented producers who are a good fit for their albums. In my opinion, James Ford did a magnificent job, and I wouldn't mind if they worked with him again, God willing, he'll overcome his illness. But I really think what matters is the quality of the songs they have. They'll always have a competent producer. I thought Andrew Dawson also did a great job. But for me, he didn't have nearly as much quality on his hands as he did with Xenomania, which I also think was a great production... Actually, the one who bothers me the most is Stuart Price from Super and Hotspot.

Anyone except James Ford. The demos for Nonetheless show how he drained all the life out of each song and made them into weedy, plinky-plonk drivel with a horrible swirly orchestra drowning out every song.

I don't understand why people would want to go backwards when they could be moving forwards. If I want to hear the “sound” of Faltermeyer, Horn or Hague, I'll listen to the songs/albums they produced.

So, I'd like someone who is current, but not trendy. I'd prefer someone who's well-established and knows their stuff. I'd love PSB to work with someone from whom they can actually profit soundwise.

In my opinion, there are two German artists who fit this profile: Coma and Roosevelt.

m+